A clique at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office is responsible for the gap developing between the opposition leader and the party faithful, said grassroots level leaders at the national executive committee meet yesterday.

During the 27 years of conjugal life, Nazrul Islam Khan never forgot to say goodbye to his wife when she left on any trip. He was there during her early morning trips or the ones she had to start very late in the night.

Editorial

WE are appalled at the unprecedented violence which ravaged parts of the capital on Friday. On the face of it, it was garments workers who seemed to be protesting against the new wage structure announced earlier. However, the rampage into which the protest degenerated showed clearly that the protests were anything but grievance-centred. The mayhem that was conducted in Gulshan and Banani was clearly aimed at causing maximum damage. It is something that is unacceptable and reprehensible. What is equally outrageous is that the police were nowhere to be seen during the first outbreak of violence. And when they did appear on the scene it was with belated action that really was ineffectual.

The police force deserves accolade for being consistent in hunting down militant groups that are out to create anarchy in the country. In the recent past, a large number of militants have been apprehended by the police and Rab to keep the groups under pressure and on the run. On Friday, a contingent of metropolitan police unearthed yet another secret hideout of the militants in city's Mirpur area and seized firearms of various description including live ammunition, grenade cases and splinters, 35 books on jihad as well as 35kg of explosive-making powder.

Fourteen-year-old Belal walks all the way from Asad Gate to practice cricket on weekends at the Abahani ground. Away from the grind of daily life, the young boy looks forward to these few hours that let him play his favourite game.

Pakistan captain Salman Butt defended his side doing without the controversial Umpires Decision Review System (UDRS), during a batting collapse in the first Test against England, by saying the technology on offer was "not a hundred percent".

Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh have all been rested for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand that kicks off on August 10. Yuvraj Singh makes a return to the 15-man squad after being dropped for the Asia Cup, the first time he had been omitted since cementing his place.

The export of chemical products nose-dived in 2009-10 to less than half the dollar amount of the prior fiscal year, mainly due to inadequate gas supplies that slashed production of chemical fertilisers.

The House of Representatives on Friday approved the toughest reforms ever to offshore energy drilling practices, as Democrats narrowly pushed through an election-year response to BP's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Walt Disney Co has struck a deal to sell Miramax, the studio behind such films as "Trainspotting" and "No Country for Old Men," for more than $660 million to a group that includes construction magnate Ron Tutor and investment firm Colony Capital LLC.

July 25- 29, 2010International Markets The international markets rallied on the back of positive data, and there was a general pick up in risk appetite. The euro hit an 11-week high against a broadly weak dollar on Thursday as month-end demand for the single currency helped push it beyond a key barrier.Market participants said some Asian central banks were buying the euro, helping to push the dollar to a three-month low versus a currency basket. Data showing a slide in Germany's unemployment rate to 7.6 percent in July, adding to other recent upbeat data on Europe's biggest economy, also helped to support the single currency. Other analysts added that investors who had been wary of buying the euro before last week's bank stress test results had resumed picking up the single currency before the month ends, while position adjustments would also work in the euro's favour. Analysts said ongoing optimism about second-quarter U.S. corporate earnings would add to the view of an improving global economy, which would support shares and keep euro demand intact. European stocks rose 0.5 percent in early trade. The dollar dipped 0.2 percent to 87.16 yen, and posted bigger losses against sterling , which hit a five-month high, and the Australian and New Zealand currencies. Some in the market said that an announcement by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that the US state was in a state of emergency over its finances was another reason to dump the dollar as it highlighted fiscal problems in the country. The New Zealand dollar rose 0.8 percent against the USD after the central bank raised interest rates by a quarter point although it warned further hikes could be more gradual.Local Money MarketThe call money rates remained steady this week and traded in the 2.5-2.75% range mostly.Local Market FXUSD/BDT was relatively stable this week.

Metropolitan

Speakers at a meeting yesterday called for forging greater unity between the government and all stakeholders for a more impressive implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, says a press release.

Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on law ministry Suranjit Sengupta yesterday said the chief justice has done discrimination by not administering the oath to two designated High Court (HC) judges.

A Minutes of Meeting on JICA Technical cooperation named “Project for Capacity Development on Natural Disaster-Resistant Techniques of Construction and Retrofitting for Public Buildings” was signed on July 27, says a press release.

Leaders of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee urged the government to immediately cancel the 8th constitutional amendment containing the words 'Islam as state religion'. This is in the light of recent Supreme Court judgement that scrapped the 5th amendment, says a press release yesterday.

Prof Amena Mohsin, former chairperson of Dhaka University's International Relations Department, yesterday said intensive courses and seminars are needed to help Bangladeshi students face academic challenges in other countries.

Speakers at a seminar yesterday expressed concern at the increasing number of people who are suffering from heart diseases, saying that it was mainly due to faulty lifestyle, intake of non-nutritional foods and lack of physical work.

Human rights will not be established in the society unless people exercise self-rectification, speakers yesterday said this at a function observing the first founding anniversary of Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation (BHRF) at BIAM auditorium.

Jamaat-e-Islami was involved with all militancy and terrorist activities in the country and they nurtured the forces to transform the country into a communal and fundamentalist country said Suranjit Sengupta yesterday.

Professor Ameena Mohsin, chairperson of Dhaka University's International Relations Department, yesterday said intensive courses and seminars are needed to help Bangladeshi students face academic challenges in other countries.

Speakers at a discussion yesterday said the death of Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan has created a void in the country's political arena as he established himself in the national politics by dint of hard work and dedication.

Water of around 40-kilometre area of Chitra River in Narail district has become dangerously polluted as farmers are rotting jute in the river due to lack of sufficient water in the beels, marshy lands and ponds.

Students of Goswami Durgapur High School in Kushtia Sadar upazila yesterday boycotted their classes and examinations demanding immediate arrest of and exemplary punishment to those involved in assaulting two teachers of the school on Thursday.

A man was killed and nine others were injured in a clash over land dispute at Padaganj Madrassahpara in Mithapukur upazila of the district Friday noon. Locals and police said, Moktar Hossain Master of the village bought 36 decimals land a few years ago from Nesar Ali of the same village. But Nesar did not register the land in the name of Moktar Hossain and sold the land secretly to one Shafiqul Islam of the same village. Shafiqul on Thursday transplanted aman seedlings on the land. On information, Moktar along with his men uprooted the seedlings from the land on Friday. Later, a bloody clash ensued between them at noon leaving 10 people injured, three critically. Injured Anwarul Islam, 42 died in the hospital. He was the son of Raju Miah of the village.

A student of Jahangirnagar University (JU) was found dead near Shahpuri Island jetty ghat in Teknaf upazila Wednesday morning. Police recovered the body of Sohanul Hasan Sohan, 24, Botany department final year student of Jahangirnagar University. Son of Mohammad Babor Ali, he hailed from Baro Bazar of Meherpur Sadar upazila. Police said being refused by a girl, Sohan decided to commit suicide at Bay in St Martin's Island on July 25. As per his decision, he left for St. Martin's on July 23 and switched off his cell phone. Since then, he remained missing. His elder brother Zahir Raihan identified the body at Teknaf police station on Wednesday morning. Before committing suicide he left a chit in which he wrote about his affairs with a girl and decision to commit suicide, police said.

Police arrested a fugitive convict on Friday night at Pachghoria village under Haripur upazila in Thakurgaon. The convict was identified as Jahangir Alam,38, son of Rafizuddin of the same village. Police said a police team of Haripur police station led by sub-inspector Rezaul Karim raided Jahangir's house and arrested him. A Thakurgaon court awarded Jahangir Alam one -year imprisonment on 23 June 2010 for embezzling money of Thakurgaon Sugar Mills.

Lalmonirhat district Jatiya Party (JP) held its conference yesterday after long 13 years. A discussion meeting was held on the occassion at district auditorium cum community center at noon, where the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister GM Quader, MP, was present as chief guest. All the leaders, workers of Jatiya Party and its front organisations joined the programme. Sources said, the activities of Jatiya Party in Lalmonirhat district could not be held properly during the last 13 years as there was no chain of command in the party. JP leader Nazrul Islam NDC was elected president of Lalmonirhat district JP uncontested. Mahbubur Rahman and SK Khaja Moinuddin were contesting for the post of secretary till filing of this report at 4pm yesterday.

Sale of rice through fair price card will begin from Monday or Tuesday in Khulna city. Each card holder will get 20 kilograms of rice a month at the rate of Tk 22 per kg under this programme. Though many city dwellers are yet to get their fair price cards, I have been asked by higher authorities to take necessary preparations in this respect, said District Controller of Food Md. Monirul Islam. Five dealers would be appointed in every ward for this purpose, he said ruling out possibility of any crisis of rice and politicisation in appointment of dealers. The appointment of new dealers would be completed by Sunday, he said. There are 33,400 metric tons of rice in stock in two central food godowns in Khulna. He said that two foreign ships reached Mongla Port last Monday carrying 6,380 metric tonnes of rice imported from Pakistan.

Letters

RMG sector is the vital sector for our economic growth. It earns about three-fourths of the country's earning from export of goods. Approximately 3.5 million people are directly employed in this arena. Ipso facto it is a very sensitive sector.

I am just ending my varsity life. I had some painful experience along with lots of happy and impressive events. The most painful experience of my university life is the state of our dormitories. I think after coming to university, every student needs motivation and facilities relating to studies. Most of the students reside in dormitories. These dormitories are in very poor shape.

It seems that the traffic congestion is going to be a typical feature of urban life in Dhaka city and it is getting worse day by day. The ever-increasing number of private cars is evidently responsible for this situation. On the other hand, with the upcoming Ramadan, the invasion of unauthorized rickshaws has already started. In this situation, can we consider some of the following measures?

While appreciating the various improvements initiated by SEC and DSE to lessen the difficulties of general investors, (the small, aged and women investors), I would draw the attention of the controlling authorities to some anomalies that remain, especially those relating to the refund process.

Over the last few days this subject has been brought up by Sir Frank Peters, and I believe his views must be seriously considered. Climbing Mount Everest is one such achievement, accomplished by a self motivated Bangladeshi climber Musa Ibrahim! Giving him national recognition and award is the least that he deserves; and it has rightly been given to a real adventurous spirit, that he had really earned, without any official encouragement, backing or support!

Recently good news came to us. That is Dhaka-New Delhi are finalizing the modalities of implementing the $ 1 billion Line of Credit that India offered to Bangladesh last January. The government is going to sign a deal with India's Exim Bank through which New Delhi will route the credit line. The Exim Bank would possibly sign an agreement with Bangladesh government within a month for utilization of the credit line. That is good news for our country.

Recently an unidentified flying object (UFO) was seen flying across the sky in Hangzhou, China. This caused massive flight delays in Xiaoshan airport on July 09, 2010. The mystery of the UFO has yet to be revealed.

I refer to the picture news published in the DS on 21st July, 2010. There it was said that Prof Yunus and the Japanese Prime Minister had discussed application of the concept of the social business in Japan and other countries. So far other countries are concerned, the idea may look good because the other countries like the Third World ones are poorer. Any good idea to help the poor in changing their lots for good would be a welcome proposition. But I am at a loss to understand what good it 'd bring to the Japanese people who are already rich even by European standards. Suggesting this idea to them, at least to me looks like carrying coal to New Castle, a phrase we 'd learnt in our school days.

The killing of three policemen in Pabna is really shocking news for us. Killing of law enforcers is a very serious matter, as people expect security from them. According to the reports, 29 law enforcers died this year. Naturally, the question arises whether we are safe. Local people claimed that they were killed by the members of the banned Sarbohara Party.

On 21st. July I was a bit pleasantly surprised seeing SBA'S very well written article captioned "Politicians and generals--". Usually we know that our newspaper editors don't feel comfortable to publish these sorts of topics!!! SBA is very correct in his observations. But I would like to add a bit that the Bhuttos in Pakistan were the civil faces of the military.

Are we a violent people or a sick people? Whenever there is something wrong people go wild and violent. Please refer to the death of a garment worker from a rooftop fall at Mirpur. Does this constitute sufficient reason for the people to agitate and vandalize, destroying public and private property. What is the motive behind such agitation? Who are responsible for all these agitations resulting in the loss of property worth millions?

The fact is that no single particle in the world can be defined as perfect, similarly, no single country can be modelled as PERFECT...so is our beloved motherland, Bangladesh. The very last day I was in my business studies classes, my respected teacher said that a friend of his had narrated a story, where there was an eminent man from Bangladesh visiting a hospital abroad with pain in his ear. The doctor affirmed that the tests he had done in Bangladesh were perfectly alright and his very minor ear difficulty was not that serious. To this, the man began bellowing, that doctors in Bangladesh are not reliable and not much qualified and trustworthy. After hearing this incident the doctor commented "Believe me, Bangladesh will never develop, because no single country can develop when people of its very own soil undermine it!”

It is noted with grave concern that more and more foreign management level staff is being recruited by different companies of Bangladesh. The simple excuse is that competent manpower is not available in BD! Have the companies put any ads in local newspapers? Have the local available resources been tapped? It is pathetically negative.

A couple of weeks back, on a discussion of health matters, in the TV, our Health Minister and Dr. Prangopal Dutta (BSMMU) were taking part. A questioner asked Dr Dutt, the reason why the top doctors give so little time to their patients. Is it really possible to diagnose a patient in a couple of minutes?

I have read with great interest the post-editorial of Mr. Shahnoor Wahid appearing on Tuesday in The Daily Star. His idea about underground transport system as a positive solution to the existing terrible Dhaka traffic jam is a subject worth looking into. The fact is that it is a tested device in many countries, I do not find it as an absurd and unfeasible idea. Certainly, the idea deserves to be taken up seriously. As regards his apprehension about the capability of a civil govt. which is always under stress and strain and often fails to implement any worthwhile project because of conflict of interest of various persons within the govt, I can not agree with him more. But I often fail to understand as to why an elected government with more than three-fourths majority members in parliament fails to appreciate a good idea and why the existing traffic problem and for that matter other affairs like energy problem or similar other issues cannot be tackled by the govt. If the author has meant that it is difficult or impossible for an elected civil govt. to solve its burning problems, it is really a pity.

A diplomatic spat with implications for international counterterrorism escalated yesterday after Pakistan's spy chief cancelled a visit to London following comments by the British leader suggesting Pakistan exports terrorism.

Violence continued to rage across Indian Kashmir yesterday with two people shot dead and five wounded after police in two towns opened fire on protesters who attacked their camps and pelted them with rocks.

Osmania University here was tense yesterday as yet another student committed suicide in the campus demanding formation of a separate Telangana state, and hundreds of students joined in the funeral procession.

Washington is holding up the formation of a new Iraqi government by insisting the two main election winners form a coalition, allowing Iraq's neighbours to meddle in its affairs, a top Shia politician told Reuters.

US officials are worried about what other secret US documents the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks may possess and have tried to contact the group without success to avoid their release, the State Department said on Friday.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Friday stepped up criticism of the United States over its treatment of five Cuban agents imprisoned for more than a decade for spying and said one of them was in a cell so small it amounted to torture.

Sgt Thomas Riordan didn't want to return to Afghanistan after home leave. He had just fought through a battle that killed eight soldiers, and when he arrived home his wife said she was leaving. He almost killed himself that night.

An Iranian documentary filmmaker who returned home after reportedly spending two months in US custody has said the FBI held him in solitary confinement and put "pressure" on him, state media reported yesterday.

North Korea's foreign minister met his Myanmar counterpart during a trip to the country, Pyongyang media reported yesterday; in a visit likely to be watched by Western nations fearful the two regimes could be co-operating on nuclear weapons.

Arts & Entertainment

A two -day music festival starting from July 30 ended yesterday at TSC auditorium, Dhaka University (DU). The Department of Music of DU had arranged the festival for the second time after its emergence as a new department from “Natyakala O Sangeet” on the University Day (July 1, 2009).

On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has organised a four-day cultural festival and art camp at Bengal Centre on Airport Road, Dhaka. The art camp is dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore. Painters Aminul Islam and Qayyum Chowdhury, Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman and Professor Emeritus Jogen Chowdhury jointly inaugurated the art camp. The festival, which began on July 29, ends today.

The inauguration of cultural organisation Uttorayon was held on July 30. The event coincided with the upcoming celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore and the 100th year of his timeless work “Geetanjali”.

Cultural organisation Chhayanaut arranged a musical programme, “Barshar Shuur Lahori”, featuring songs on the rain at its main auditorium in Dhanmondi, on July 30. Students and teachers of the organisation as well as noted singers of the country rendered songs of Rabindranath, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Atul Prasad Sen and Dwijendra Lal Roy at the programme.

Khalid Mahmood Mithu's debut feature film “Gohine Shobdo” has won the top prize in an international film festival in Canada, according to a press release. The film, which features an impossible love-story, won 'Best Feature Film Award' in the International Section in Okanagan International Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada. The award was announced on July 25.

Uttaran Shahittya Ashar, a poets and writers' organisation celebrated its second founding anniversary in Pabna on Friday amid festivity. A discussion, reception and cultural programmes were held on the occasion at Pabna Zila Parishad auditorium.

Entertainment giant Walt Disney has announced the sale of its Miramax film division for about $660m to a group of private equity investors. The investors, Filmyard, includes construction magnate Ron Tutor and investment firm Colony Capital.

OP-ED

The step taken by the AL-led alliance government towards restoring the original constitution of Bangladesh has created a sense of disappointment as both the major parties -- AL and BNP -- are raising conflicting arguments on this issue.

IT would be odd, and wholly unacceptable, if secularism were to be defined by the fate of a gangster in Gujarat. At stake in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case is not the religion of the individual, or his preferred means of sustenance [in this case, crime], but the rule of law.

THE first World Cup I saw, in quality footage, was the competition in Britain in 1966, which was won by England defeating West Germany, 4-2, in the final at Wembly. I saw the film of this competition when I arrived in London towards the end of 1966 and in later years, videos of some individual games such as the final. I cannot say that I was particularly impressed with the skills of the English football team. Geoff Hurst, the West Ham striker, who scored a hat trick in the final was hardly a top class player, nor were other members of the team, except for Bobby Charlton and their world class goal-keeper, Gordon Banks. I thought England were lucky to defeat the Portuguese team in the semi-final, with Eusebio, who was the star of the tournament, in top form.

THE national parliament has finally passed a new law for private universities. It has taken almost eight years, spanning three governments, and a divisive process to arrive at this law. Sections of the government, public intellectuals and the media have argued throughout this process for a very strict law to ensure quality and to rein in alleged irregularities by some universities. A majority of the trustees were opposed to the new law, fearing excessive government controls. Frankly, there can be little doubt that a new law was needed. How it can be best used now to bring about a new reality, and whether enforcement of the law alone is sufficient, is the question.

LESS than a day after Andres Iniesta brought to a close a month-long festival of flag-waving with a thumping strike past Maarten Steklenburg, most hard-core football fans were already looking forward to the next season of club football.

GANDHI not only spent his childhood among Muslim neighbours who were frequent visitors to his house, six generations of Gandhis had also served as ministers of the ruler of one of the principalities of Kathiwara where Gandhi was born.